Man jailed more than two years for blackmailing taxi passenger to hand over £20
- Perry Richardson
- 33 minutes ago
- 1 min read
A man who forced a taxi passenger to hand over £20 after threatening him has been jailed for more than two years.
Omar Afzal, 36, targeted the victim as he sat in a taxi waiting for a friend in Lincoln Road, Millfield, Peterborough, on 20 January last year. Afzal entered the vehicle and made threats, claiming he had a weapon.
When the victim’s friend returned and told Afzal to leave, he refused and ordered the man to sit in the front seat. Afzal then demanded £100. The victim handed over £20 in fear, hoping to end the confrontation.
As Afzal leaned out of the taxi while demanding more money, the driver pulled away, leaving him behind. The incident was reported to police, leading to Afzal’s arrest. Officers also found a small bag of cannabis in his jacket.
Afzal admitted possession of cannabis but denied blackmail. He was convicted after a trial at Cambridge Crown Court in May.
On Tuesday, 14 October, he was sentenced at the same court to two years and four months in prison.
DC Miskin said: “Blackmail is a serious offence that can leave victims feeling frightened and vulnerable.
“The victim in this case was simply waiting for a friend. Afzal knew the victim and knew that he was fearful of him and his reputation; and he decided to exploit the situation for his own gain.
“No one should be made to feel intimidated or coerced into handing over money, no matter the value. We take offences like this incredibly seriously and will do all we can to get justice for victims.”
